Microphone construction and attachment



Aug. 15, 1967 R. GORIKE MICROPHONE CONSTRUCTION AND ATTACHMENT Filed March 5, 1965 YNVENTOR. Rune? GbRl KE 7k %a,-l /7 ATTmmp/s United States Patent 3,335,812 MICROPHONE CONSTRUCTION AND ATTACHMENT Rudolf Giirike, Vienna, Austria, assignor to Akustische u. Kino-Gerate Gesellschaft m.b.H., Vienna, Austria Filed Mar. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 437,436 Claims priority, a plication Austria, Mar. 11, 1964, A 2,116/64 18 Claims. (Cl. 181-31) This invention relates in general to microphones and in particular to a new and useful microphone.

The invention is particularly applicable for use with a microphone which is preferably rod-shaped and can be selectively mounted on a stand or held in a hand or carried on the body of the wearer (lavalier microphone). The use of the microphone when carried on a stand or held in a hand does not involve special difficulties because the microphone has been designed for these uses. On the other hand, when the microphone is used as a socalled lavalier microphone, which is carried on the body of the operator, on the clothes or below them, either to make a secret recording of an acoustic event or, in television recordings, to avoid a disturbance of the pic ture by the microphone, the clothes will absorb the treble frequencies to a higher degree than the bass frequencies so that the frequency response will be undesirably modified.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a microphone having a frequency modifying device constructed to eliminate the disadvantage mentioned above Without affecting the general usefulness of the microphone. The invention is based on the known fact that such rod-shaped microphones may be converted into a lavalier microphone by mounting them into an annular holder, which has two eyes, to which the ends of the carrying cord are secured. The invention provides a special design of such an annular holder and is characterized in that a preferably cylindrical sleeve, which at least partly covers the microphone and carries eyes, is designed as an acoustically active means for modifying the frequency response. In one embodiment of the invention, the sleeve protrudes by about 5-10 mm. from the acoustic inlet opening of the microphone. The sleeve may be cylindrical, funnel-shaped or form a Helmholtz resonator to boost the response in a certain frequency range, e.g., between 2000 and 5000 cycles per second.

According to another feature of the invention, the sleeve is designed to surround virtually the entire microphone. The sleeve may be made from metal, rubber, plastics material or the like. When the sleeve is made from metal, it will be suitable to slot the sleeve so that it can be resiliently fitted on the microphone and the cable can be inserted into the sleeve.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a microphone having means forming a sleeve projecting outwardly from an end thereof and located around the acoustic inlet for modifying the sound frequencies.

A further object of the invention is to provide a microphone construction which includes a substantially cylindrical or rod-shaped microphone body having a sleeve attachment connected thereto adjacent the sound inlet or receiver which extends outwardly from the body of the microphone and surrounds the sound inlet and may be advantageously formed with either straight cylindrical walls, outwardly or inwardly flaring cylindrical walls, or a cavity defining a Helmholtz resonator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for influencing the sound frequency reception of a ice microphone which comprises a sleeve member which is adapted to be inserted around the microphone and to project at least partly from one end thereof around the acoustical inlet for the microphone.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for influencing the sound reception of a microphone which includes a sleeve member which is adapted to be fitted over the microphone and to project outwardly from the end of the microphone having the acoustical inlet and which advantageously may be made of a color to correspond to the clothing of a weaver of the same and with means thereon for suspending the microphone from the body of the weaver.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for use with a microphone for suspending the microphone from the body of a wearer which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manu facture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a rod-shaped microphone provided with a frequency modulating device constructed in accordance with the invention indicated in transverse section;

FIGS. 2 to 4 are transverse sectional views indicating various embodiments of the device according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment, in which the device according to the invention comprises a sleeve, which surrounds virtually the entire microphone.

Referring to the drawings, in particular, a rod-shaped microphone 1 shown in FIG. 1 is of a type which may be mounted on a stand or carried in the hand or used as a lavalier microphone. The microphone cable 3 extends through a bushing 2 out of the lower end of the microphone. Alternatively, this end of the microphone may be provided with a socket for receiving a connecting plug. The frequency modulating acoustic and suspension device 5 is fitted on the microphone at the free end and surrounds the acoustic inlet 4 and the upper portion of the microphone. This acoustic device is provided with the two eyes 6 and 7, to which a carrying cord (not I shown) is secured. The sleeve only long enough to provide for frictional engagement with a microphone housing for holding the device in position on the microphone. Means such as a detent 8 is provided on the microphone for interengaging with the sleeve as it is fitted on the microphone. The detent indicated 8 may consist in the simplest case of a hole in the sleeve 5 and a mating hemispherical boss on the microphone housing or viceversa. The fixation of the suspension device will be much improved, however, if the hemispherical boss and the hole in the sleeve 5 are replaced by an annular head (not shown) on the microphone housing 1 adjacent to the sleeve, and a mating annular groove (not shown) in the suspension device 5.

In order to boost the response in the desired frequency range and to control the degree of boosting, that portion of the frequency response modifying acoustic and suspension device which protrudes beyond the acoustic inlet 4 may be of various shapes or configurations. FIG. 1 shows the simplest shape, which may be the most suitable one, with a cylindrical sleeve 5.

In FIG. 2, a frequency response modifying sleeve is provided with an outer outwardly flaring end portion or funnel section 15a which protrudes from the acoustic inlet 4 when the cylindrical inner portion is engaged around a microphone 1.

FIG. 3 shows a frequency response modifying sleeve having an outer end portion 25a in the form of an inwardly tapering funnel. Which of the three forms is most suitable in a .given case can be determined most simply by trial.

In'special cases, a frequency response modifying sleeve designed as a Helmholtz resonator is provided, as is shown in FIG. 4, where an outer Helmholtz resonator portion 9 is connected to the sound path by an annular gap 10.

Some suggestions for the use of the various forms of the frequency response modifying sleeve will now be given, although the invention is by no means restricted to these suggestions. An acoustic sleeve having a cylindrical end portion as is shown in FIG. 1 results in a moderate boosting of the response in a narrow range. This may be most suitable when the microphone is worn, e.g., on a thin blouse. An acoustic sleeve having an end portion in the shape of an exponential or conical funnel, as in shown in FIG. 2, results in a strong boosting of the treble frequencies in a wide range. This may be most desirable when the microphone is worn on clothes having particularly strong damping effect. A Helmholtz resonator portion, as is shown in FIG. 3 or 4, results in a strong boosting in a very narrow range. This may be most beneficial when the microphone is covered by clothes.

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus according to the invention in an embodiment which is particularly suitable for television recordings. A frequency response modifying device or acoustic sleeve 45 has a slot 11 extending along its entire length for passage of the cord 3 and bushing 2, and is designed to form a second housing, which closely surrounds the microphone 1', which is thus rendered invisible. If thecolor of the sleeve is selected to match the clothes, the microphone can be inconspicuously carried even when it cannot be concealed under the clothes of the speaker, for certain reasons. The sleeve 45 may consist of sheet brass or deep-drawn plastics material.

There is no doubt that the invention comprehends various other modifications within its scope. This relates particularly to the design of that portion of the acoustic sleeve which protrudes over the acoustic inlet 4. This por-' tion may have an oblique rim. Other modifications may concern the detent, which may be of any known type.

The advantage afforded by the invention resides in that a single type of microphone can be used within a wider field of application without need for a change in the microphone itself.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A microphone for selective use as a lavalier microphone, said microphone comprising a microphone body having an acoustic inlet, a frequency response modifying sleeve diseng-ageably embracing at least a part of said microphone body and having a frequency response modifyin-g sleeve portion protruding axially outwardly of said body beyond said acoustic inlet, and fixing means on said sleeve for supporting said microphone on the person.

2. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which said microphone body is rod-shaped and said acoustic inlet is disposed at one end of said microphone body.

3. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which said sleeve is generally cylindrical.

4. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which said fixing means comprise two eyes adapted to have a cord connected to them.

5. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which said sleeve protrudes axially 5-10 mm. beyond said acoustic inlet.

6. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which the protruding portion of said sleeve is a cylindrical portion.

7. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which the protruding portion of said sleeve is an axially outwardly flaring portion.

8. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which the protruding portion of said sleeve is an axially outwardly tapering portion.

9. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which the protruding portion of said sleeve includes an outwardly flaring frusto conical portion having a radially inwardly extending annular flange at its outer end with an axially inwardly extending lip at the inner edge of said radially inwardly extending flange, and constituting a Helmholtz resonator.

10. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which said sleeve substantially embraces substantially the entire length of said microphone body.

11. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, in which said sleeve consists of resilient thermoplastic material.

12. A microphone as set forth in claim 1, which comprises a detent carried by the microphone housing and arranged to releasably hold said sleeve in position.

13. A device for use with a microphone having an end with an acoustical inlet, comprising a sleeve member of a size to be fitted around at least an end of said microphone and to provide a frequency response modifying sleeve portion projecting outwardly from the end having the acoustical inlet, and means on said sleeve member for supporting said sleeve member and said microphone.

14. A device for use with a microphone having an end with an acoustical inlet, comprising a sleeve member of a size to be fitted around at least an end of said microphone and to provide a frequency response modifying sleeve portion projecting outwardly from the end having the acoustical inlet, and means on said sleeve member for supporting said sleeve member and said microphone, said sleeve member entirely surrounding said microphone and being slotted along the length thereof for facilitating the passage of the microphone cord.

15. A device for use with a microphone having an end with an acoustical inlet, comprising a sleeve member of a size to be fitted around at least an end of said microphone and to provide a frequency response modifying sleeve portion projecting outwardly from the end having the acoustical inlet, and means on said sleeve member for supporting said sleeve member and said microphone, said sleeve having an outwardly projecting portion which flares outwardly.

16. A device for use with a microphone having an end with an acoustical inlet, comprising a sleeve member of a size to be fitted around at least an end of said microphone and to provide a frequency response modifying sleeve portion projecting outwardly from the end having the acoustical inlet, and means on said sleeve member for supporting said sleeve member and said microphone, said sleeve having an outwardly projecting portion which flares inwardly.

17. A device for use with a microphone having an end with an acoustical inlet, comprising a sleeve member of a size to be fitted around at least an end of said microphone and to provide a frequency response modifying sleeve portion projecting outwardly from the end having the acoustical inlet, and means on said sleeve member for sleeve having an outwardly projecting portion flaring outwardly, an inwardly directed annular rim extending from the outer end of said outer flaring portion, and a cylindrical portion extending inwardly from the inner portion of said annular rim, said cylindrical portion defining with said outwardly flaring portion and said rim a Helmholtz cavity.

18. A device for use with a microphone having an end with an acoustical inlet for supporting the microphone on a person, comprising a sleeve member of a size to be fitted around at least an end of said microphone and to provide a frequency response modifying sleeve portion projecting outwardly from the end having the acoustical inlet, and eyelet elements defined at spaced locations around the exterior periphery of said sleeve member for supporting said member from the person.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Publication: The Music Trades, August 1964, vol. 112, No. 8, p. 66, copy in Group 280.

15 STEPHEN I. TOMSKY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MICROPHONE FOR SELECTIVE USE AS A LAVALIER MICROPHONE, SAID MOCROPHONE COMPRISING A MICROPHONE BODY HAVING AN ACOUSTIC INLET, A FREQUENCY RESPONSE MODIFYING SLEEVE DISENGAGEABLY EMBRACING AT LEAST A PART OF SAID MICROPHONE BODY AND HAVING A FREQUENCY RESPONSE MODIFYING SLEEVE PORTION PROTRUDING AXIALLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID BODY BEYOND SAID ACOUSTIC INLET, AND FIXING MEANS ON SAID SLEEVE FOR SUPPORTING SAID MICROPHONE ON THE PERSON. 